Soccer

AT first glance, it seemed like England had more mascots than normal when the teams lined up for their 2-0 win over Finland.Harry Kane had a couple of his children on the pitch to mark his 100th cap but even so, there still seemed to be too many kids out there.Angel Gomes could be the future for England in central midfieldCredit: GettyGomes shone as Harry Kane fired England to a 2-0 win over FinlandCredit: GettyOn closer inspection, it was Angel Gomes, England’s new midfield hope. Officially, he stands at 5ft 6 in but even that looks debatable.Interim manager Lee Carsley clearly believes that good things come in small packages. Rico Lewis, who also enjoyed a decent second senior appearance, is also an inch taller than Gomes but his hair gives him a height boost.While Gomes looks tiny out there in the centre of the pitch, it is still a refreshing sight when you consider an increasing number of managers clearly believe every player has to be 6ft.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 24-year-old is the same height as former Chelsea and Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante and there are obvious similarities in their style of play.England have been dying for a player like him. After an encouraging cameo against Ireland, Gomes, who came through the ranks at Manchester United, delivered a smooth and composed performance.While his inclusion was a surprise, we will certainly be seeing a lot of him over the next couple of months.You can see why he stood out in every age group in terms of his touch, control and the way he receives and moves the ball with his back to goal.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGomes has similarities to N’Golo KanteCredit: GettyEngland ratings vs Finland: Kane bags double on his big day… but he’s not the Three Lions’ star manTRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…Jordan Pickford – 6Had nothing to do.Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.Ezri Konsa – 6Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.John Stones – 6Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.Rico Lewis – 7In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.Declan Rice – 5Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.Angel Gomes – 7Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.Bukayo Saka – 7Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.Jack Grealish – 7Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.Anthony Gordon – 7Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.Harry Kane – 8Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 69 goals in 100 caps.Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.SUBSLevi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6As with Colwill, little to do.Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham.Gomes saw plenty of the ball at Wembley, particularly in the first half, and at no point was he looking for the safe option of passing sideways.He was always looking to try the risky pass but he was making it look simple.Inside Angel Gomes’ rise from Man Utd wonderkid to England starThe Lille midfielder set up a decent chance for Kane and then delivered a wonderful pass to Bukayo Saka but his cross was deflected for a corner.While Gomes is also small in build, he still puts his foot in. He tackled Teemu Pukki to cheers from the home crowd and then won the ball to put himself clean through but Matti Peltola threw himself into the air to earn a foul.Gomes’ performance will earn him further matches against Greece at Wembley next month along with Finland away three days later.But a true test will only come when England face a better team and have much less possession.Only then will we see what Gomes is like without the ball and whether he is able to protect the defence well enough.Kobbie Mainoo, who has played in a similar position to Gomes for England, has also delivered some special performances but there have been times – including the final against Spain – when he has found himself being bypassed.While his inclusion was a surprise, we will certainly be seeing a lot of him over the next couple of months.Although his preferred position is as a no.10, maybe Gomes could be that player to dominate games in a deeper role like Rodri does for Manchester City and Spain.Carsley’s travelling over the next few weeks will not be restricted to Premier League games.He will also head to Germany to see Kane at Bayern Munich and rising star Jamie Bynoe-Gittens at Dortmund.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn Madrid, there is Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher while Carsley has also indicated that he may travel to Saudi Arabia to watch Ivan Toney.But most of all, you get the impression Carsley will be heading to northern France to watch Gomes. And in the future, we will be seeing a lot more of him.Gomes has impressed in France with LilleCredit: GettyGomes won the U17 World Cup with England in 2017Credit: GettyHe helped the Young Lions win the 2023 European Championship tooCredit: Getty More

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed against FinlandCredit: ReutersHarry Kane bagged a brace on his 100 England appearanceCredit: GettyKane was the main focus of the match as he completed his century of appearances for the Three Lions.After a few attempts, the captain finally got his name on the scoresheet to mark his milestone outing for England.The striker was a constant thorn in the Finland defence and was unlucky not to score more as he saw a spectacular overhead kick and free-kick well saved.But it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who impressed the most with a classy performance.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLDeclan Rice however was far from his best and he was lucky not have given up a goal with a sloppy mistake.SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…Jordan Pickford – 6Had nothing to doTrent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.Ezri Konsa – 6Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.England pay touching tribute to Sven Goran-Eriksson with minute’s applause at Wembley and emotional videoEngland players with 100 capsHere is a list all the players to reach 100 caps for England…Peter Shilton – 125Wayne Rooney – 120David Beckham – 115Steven Gerrard – 114Bobby Moore – 108Ashley Cole – 107Bobby Charlton – 106Frank Lampard – 106Billy Wright – 105Harry Kane – 100Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.John Stones – 6Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on. Solid though not much to deal with.Now 19 short of 100 caps. 6.Rico Lewis – 7In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki. Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.Declan Rice – 5Declan Rice was not at his best against FinlandCredit: GettyLost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.Angel Gomes – 7Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.Bukayo Saka -7Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display. Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.Jack Grealish – 7Jack Grealish looked goodCredit: GettyEnjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return. 7Anthony Gordon – 7Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.Harry Kane – 8Kane’s goals were the differenceCredit: GettyTwo blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 68 goals in 100 caps.Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten. Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.Subs: Levi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61): Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on. 6Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66): Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper. 6Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66): Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second. 7Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80): As with Colwill, little to do. 6Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81): Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham. 6READ MORE SUN STORIESLee Carsley: Two games down, two 2-0 wins. In truth, the first half was quite dull fare against the Finland’s ten men behind the ball. But the quality shone through, as well it should have given the gulf in class and mainly thanks to Kane’s shooting prowess.Alexander-Arnold shone as he was given licence and trust by Carsley at right-back and Angel Gomes looked unfazed on debut. Not a victory to write home about but nothing wrong either. 6Harry Kane reveals his favourite England goalsHARRY KANE is already England’s all-time record goalscorer.But the Three Lions skipper will NOT be stopping there.To mark his 100th cap for his country, Kane spoke to SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT about some of his special England goals….FIRST ENGLAND GOAL“My debut v Lithuania. March 2015.”There was a lot of talk in the build-up to that camp because I was playing well for Spurs.“I got a great reception and within a couple of minutes I scored a goal.“I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better.“My friends and family were there. That was a really special night.”FAVOURITE ENGLAND GOAL“It’s between two, for me.“Against Germany, the one at Wembley in Euro 2020.“Also, the header against Tunisia at the World Cup in 2018.“That moment of scoring a last-minute winner at my first World Cup was special.”BEST ENGLAND GOAL“The one I scored in Poland away in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. It was from 25 yards.”(Kane picked up the ball from Kyle Walker, advanced towards goal and put his foot through it.)“It kind of drifted away and it was a good strike, probably my furthest-out goal for England.” More

AFTER being cast as a summer scapegoat in Germany, Harry Kane is back to being simply the GOAT.England’s greatest goalscorer marked his 100th international appearance with an emphatic second-half double – two of the very best strikes he has ever conjured for his country.Harry Kane did what he does best on his 100th appearance for EnglandCredit: GettyThe star bagged twice to see England win 2-0Credit: PAIt was a golden night for Kane who made his 100th appearance for the Three LionsCredit: GettyAs a keen cricket fan, Kane knows the importance of marking a century and at Wembley tonight he raised his bat in style, leaving to a standing ovation from all four corners of Wembley ten minutes from time.That double took the Bayern Munich striker’s tally to 68. Kane claims he is aiming for three figures and you wouldn’t bet against the 31-year-old on this showing.Kane has been bristling at taking much of the blame for England’s faltering performances en route to the Euros Final.But after clearly struggling for full fitness during that campaign this was a welcome return to full sharpness, with two sweet finishes after a much busier all-round display.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt was a second successive impressive performance for England under interim boss Lee Carsley. They were patient against a stubborn Finnish defence and an excellent keeper – lively, inventive and ultimately clinical.And while Kane stole the show, Trent Alexander-Arnold was magnificent, playing a major role in both goals. Carsley’s decision to employ him in his Liverpool role as a right-back/midfield playmaker proving a masterstroke.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSKane rifled his first goal into the roof of the netCredit: ReutersHe swept his second past Finland goalkeeper Lukas HradeckyCredit: GettyThe star had been searching for a goal to mark the historic occasionCredit: GettyKane helped Lee Carsley keep a perfect record as England bossCredit: APThe Anfield man looks liberated under Carsley’s interim regime and will surely be an automatic England starter from now on.Sure, this was still only a home win against a Finnish side ranked 63rd world but England lost to Iceland the last time they played at Wembley so should not be sniffed at.Harry Kane’s favourite England goalsEngland ratings vs Finland: Kane bags double on his big day… but he’s not the Three Lions’ star manTRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…Jordan Pickford – 6Had nothing to do.Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.Ezri Konsa – 6Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.John Stones – 6Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.Rico Lewis – 7In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.Declan Rice – 5Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.Angel Gomes – 7Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.Bukayo Saka – 7Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.Jack Grealish – 7Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.Anthony Gordon – 7Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.Harry Kane – 8Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 69 goals in 100 caps.Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.SUBSLevi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6As with Colwill, little to do.Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham.We will be hearing a lot of the expression ‘you can only beat what’s in front of you’ during Carsley’s six-match autumn audition against the Finns, Ireland and Greece – but England have at least done their job with a touch of flourish this week.And just two games into the campaign we can safely say that top-tier Nations League football is coming home.Carsley’s maiden outing in charge – especially the first half – had been a triumph in Dublin, with England free-flowing and thrilling in a 2-0 win.But it initially looked an inauspicious first Wembley date for the interim boss – piddling rain, thousands of empty seats and low-rent opposition which included former Norwich striker Teemu Pukki and a bloke who plays for Aberdeen with a tattoo of Wayne Rooney fishing on his arm.Kane was handed a golden cap by fellow 100 Club members Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole as well as a bunch of flowers from Finnish keeper Lukas Hradecky.After a big-screen shot of Carsley not singing God Save The King – and that’s surely enough of that now – and applause for the late Sven Goran Eriksson, we were off.And it all seemed to be about trying to tee up Kane for a goal on his landmark night.First, Anthony ‘Flash’ Gordon centred but Kane headed back across goal when he might have scored, then he skied a deflected effort from a Bukayo Saka cross.As in Dublin, England were zipping it around nicely. Angel Gomes, on his first England start, was neat and tiny, looking even shorter than his 5ft 6in frame in comically big shorts and short socks.The little Lille midfielder produced a peach of a pass for Kane, who swivelled and had a shot pushed away by his pre-match Interflora man.Next, Alexander-Arnold played a sweet reverse pass and Saka’s deflected cross-shot forced a decent improv save from Hradecky.When Kane first found the net, heading home a curling Saka centre midway through the first half, the linesman correctly spotted a toenail offside.England hogged the ball, possessive as jealous lovers and forced a succession of corners.But the Finns, preparing for months without sunlight, were pulling down the blackout blinds, defending in a low block which resembled a sandbagged roadblock.Alexander-Arnold, England’s most creative player, fizzed one just wide and it felt a little churlish that paper planes were already descending onto the turf when Carsley’s men were playing pretty damned well.Trent Alexander-Arnold looks a man rejuvenated under Lee CarsleyCredit: RexAngel Gomes looked comfortable in the middle of the parkCredit: GettyGomes was chopped down by Glen Kamara on the edge of the box but Alexander-Arnold thudded his free-kick wide.The second half began with Ezri Konsa surviving an injury scare when he went over on his ankle.Then we were back to Hradecky versus England.In the space of five minutes, the Finnish keeper saved from an angled Rice shot, a Kane free-kick, a Gordon effort and a Kane overhead kick.Then finally the resistance was broken thanks to that piece of world-class quality from Kane.Alexander-Arnold made the pass, Kane slipped inside Robert Ivanov and thumped his shot in off the underside of the crossbar.He raced towards the corner flag, leapt in joy and was mobbed by his team-mates.Soon, left-back Rico Lewis dragged one wide when he ought to have doubled England’s lead and Konsa was replaced by Levi Colwill.Carsley soon sent on Ebere Eze and handed a debut to Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.READ MORE SUN STORIESEze should have scored from one of those first-time laser passes from Alexander-Arnold.The second arrived 15 minutes from time, another gorgeous first-time pass from Alexander-Arnold locating Madueke, who squared with the outside of his boot for Kane to rifle into the far corner.England players with 100 capsHere’s a list of all the players to have earned 100 caps for England…Peter Shilton – 125Wayne Rooney – 120David Beckham – 115Steven Gerrard – 114Bobby Moore – 108Ashley Cole – 107Bobby Charlton – 106Frank Lampard – 106Billy Wright – 105Harry Kane – 100 More